from Greg Cote of the Miami Herald,

A franchise off the national radar and struggling for scraps of attention in its own market. A franchise with five playoff appearances in 25 seasons and none back to back since 1996-97. A franchise whose fans have never known sustained winning.

This franchise, the Florida Panthers, has won the NHL offseason, a title whose only trophy is hope. This is an organization that has made its move, declared itself ready, and now -- with no excuses left -- must prove it can compete for the Stanley Cup. Not someday. Not maybe. Now.

In sports, first you must earn the burden of expectations, then you must prove you are worthy of them.

The Panthers have put themselves right in the middle of that. In a league that just saw the interloping, underdog St. Louis Blues unexpectedly raise the Cup, the Cats must got from no playoffs to a deep run in them, nothing less, when the games commence Oct. 3....

Win now and keep winning. Think championships...

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